Events

Beverly Commons Trail Run Aug, 25

This is a challenging 3.5 Mile Loop through the woods of Beverly Commons. The 7 Mile race is part of the 2018 North Shore Endurance Trail Series. Proceeds support Greenbelt’s land conservation work throughout Essex County.

WHEN:  August 25, Saturday

WHERE:  Beverly Commons

RACE START: 9am Start

FEE:   $25 member/$30 non-member

Register online

Online registration ends: August 22 at Noon.

Race Day Registration: 7:30 - 8:45 am

Race Site: Beverly Commons Conservation Area, Greenwood Ave. Beverly

T-Shirt: Register by July 25 to guarantee a T-Shirt

Race Registration Form

Trail race map

Directions & Parking

From Route 128 to exit 17

Go south on Grapevine Road/Hart Street toward Beverly Farms. In 1.25 miles, turn right onto Greenwood Avenue. Trailhead and parking are 0.3 miles ahead.

Park to the right on Stone Ridge Road. Please do not block the gate.

Family Movie Night Under The Stars Sep, 08

Bring your blanket and popcorn, and settle in for a fun, conservation-themed family film on the lawn at Cox Reservation.

Part of Greenbelt's Family Nature Series

WHEN:  Saturday, September 8

TIME:  7:30 pm

WHERE:  Cox Reservation, Essex

FREE

Insects Sep, 15

Using nets and bug boxes, families will explore fields in search of insects.

Special attention will be paid to differing insect lifecycles as well as how some insects are masters of camouflage.

Families will be encouraged to design and hide their own insect to see how well they can use camouflage.

Program Limited to Maximum of 20 people.  Recommended ages are 6 and older.

FREE

When:  September 15, 10 am - noon

Where:  Cox Reservation, Essex

Directions & Parking

From Route 128/Exit 15/School Street:

Go north on School Street/Southern Ave. towards Essex. In 3 miles, turn right onto Route 133/Eastern Avenue. In 0.5 miles, turn left at the Greenbelt sign. 

From intersection of Route 22/Route 133 in Essex:

Go east on Route 133/Main Street. In 0.5 miles, bear left onto on Route 133/Eastern Avenue. In 0.5 miles, turn left at the Greenbelt sign. 

The Secret World of Plants Sep, 20

Examine and learn about the role of native plants in the local ecosystem as we explore the rolling Mancester Essex Conservation Trust property.

MECT Partner Event with Y Connections Hiking Club

WHEN:  Thursday, September 20

TIME:  9:30 - 11:30 am

WHERE:  MECT Wilderness Conservation Area, Essex

FREE

Tour de Greenbelt Cycle for Land Conservation Sep, 29

Cycling enthusiasts of all abilities can ride through some of Essex County’s most beautiful landscapes in this annual road cycle event to benefit local land conservation.

Whether a seasoned road cyclist or a beginner, you can enjoy at your own pace one of three routes offered by Tour de Greenbelt: a half-century (50 miles) and a shorter route (25 miles), and new this year, a 37-mile Gravel Grinder Route. 

The routes showcase more than 50 of Greenbelt’s exquisite conserved properties.

WHEN:  September 29, Saturday

WHERE:  Cox Reservation, Essex

TIME: 9:00am Start

REGISTRATION OPENS IN MARCH

Basic Map Reading Skills Oct, 13

Appalachian Mountain Club member Liz Armstrong will share her map-reading expertise, and a little local history, guiding us through the Boxford State Forest and teaching practical skills you will be able to use on any hike.

WHEN:  Saturday, October 13

TIME:  9:30 - 11:30 am

WHERE:  Boxford State Forest, North Andover/Boxford

FREE

A Rock With a View Oct, 18

Spectacular views await at the top of this rocky hike at Tompson Street, Greenbelt's largest reservation.

Partner Event with Y Connections Hiking Club

WHEN:  Thursday, October 18

TIME:  9:30 - 11:30 am

WHERE:  Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester

FREE

How to Lease Your Land to a Farmer Oct, 25

Have you ever considered making your land available for farming? Farmers in Essex County are looking for land to rent, from a small vegetable plot to livestock or crops. When you make land available to farmers you help secure a future for farming in our region, create economic opportunity, promote food security, and preserve our working landscapes.  

This workshop with farm leasing experts Land for Good will help you understand your land’s potential for farming and what goes into a good farming arrangement:

• Benefits & opportunities of leasing your land for farming
• Identify your personal, financial and land use goals
• How to find a compatible farmer
• How to craft a lease agreement

An evening workshop on Thursday, October 25th in Topsfield will be followed by a guided bus tour of leased farmlands on the morning of Friday, October 26th departing from Essex.  

Thursday, October 25:  5:30pm – 8:30pm - Workshop in Topsfield (Dinner included!)

Friday, October 26:  8am - 11am - Guided Tour of Leased Farmland (Alprilla Farm in Essex, Cedar Rock Gardens in West Gloucester, and Marini Farm in Ipswich). Tour to begin in Essex.

This workshop and tour are FREE but advanced registration is required. You may register for one or both days.

Land For Good has helped educate, advise and support thousands of non-farming landowners. They work with farm service providers, conservation organizations and communities to support landowners, increase farmland availability and foster good landowner-farmer agreements. In collaboration with researchers and policy makers, they advance policies and innovative working models that will increase farmland availability and foster equity and land stewardship.

Devils Den Geology Walk Oct, 28

A place where local children have come to play in nature for more than 300 years, Jennie Lagoulis Reservation at Four Rock & Devil’s Den offers a unique landscape and biodiversity of uplands, wetlands and maritime forest.

Join author Peter Cristofono, a local rock and mineral expert, to explore Devil's Den and learn the storied history of this long-abandoned quarry.

When the quarries were abandoned, the land became a place for summer recreation where imaginative children added tales of sorcery, renaming the cave Devil’s Den.

WHEN:  Sunday, October 28

TIME:  1:00 - 3:00 PM

WHERE:  Jennie Lagoulis Reservation, Newbury

FREE

Autumn Walk with Boston Views Nov, 15

Warm up with this hilly hike on Ward Reservation, property maintained by the Trustees of Reservations.  We'll be led by an Andover Village Improvement Society guide.  

Gorgeous views of Boston and the surrounding countryside await.  Bring your camera!

Partner Event with Y Connections Hiking Club

WHEN:  Thursday, November 15

TIME:  9:30 - 11:30 am

WHERE:  Ward Reservation, Boston Hill, Andover

FREE

Walk Off That Turkey! Nov, 25

Stretch your legs at the Julia Bird Reservation after a weekend of feasting.  A Greenbelt guide will lead you on an easy meander through field and forest.

Adjacent to Appleton Farm, Julia Bird is part of an extensive network of protected open space along the Ipswich River throughout Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham and Topsfield.

WHEN:  Sunday, November 25

TIME:  1:00 - 3:00 pm

WHERE:  Julia Bird Reservation, Ipswich

FREE

Winter Walk or Snowshoe at Crystal Gorge Dec, 20

Enjoy a hike through the woodlands of the Crystal Gorge Conservation Area in Haverhill.

The moderately challenging trails over 65 acres pass vernal pools, old stone walls and small streams. The hike will also traverse Crystal Gorge, a unique geological feature created by a volcanic event millions of years ago.

If time and conditions allow, we will cross the road into Crystal Point Conservation Area for views over Crystal Lake.

Partner event with Y Connections Hiking Club

WHEN:  Thursday, December 20

WHERE:  Crystal Gorge Conservation Area, Haverhill

TIME:  9:30 - 11:30 am

FREE

Parking: A gravel lot on Crystal Street behind trail sign. Additional parking on Crystal Street. 

Mutt Strut in Gloucester Dec, 30

Back by popular demand!  Whether on four paws or two feet, this hike at the Tompson Street Reservation is great fun for all participants.

WHEN:  Sunday, December 30

TIME:  1:00 - 3:00 pm

WHERE:  Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester

FREE